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Gardenhire remembers Redmond fondly

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JUPITER, Fla. -- Twins manager Ron Gardenhire remembers talking strategy with Mike Redmond during games as the pair watched games from the bench.

Redmond, who served as Minnesota's backup catcher for five seasons from 2005-09, was hired by the Marlins last November to replace Ozzie Guillen after a disappointing 69-93 last-place finish in the National League East. Redmond's previous coaching experience consisted of two seasons with Class A teams in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

The 41-year-old Redmond said he always laughed when Gardenhire would take off his hat and fire it down on the turf moments before being thrown out of a game.

"He's loyal to his guys," Redmond said. "He backed his players up. His players always knew when you're out there competing and grinding, he had their backs. That's huge in this game."

During his 13 years in the big leagues, Redmond hit .287 with 13 home runs and 243 RBIs in 764 games. He was a member of the Marlins' 2003 World Series ballclub.

Of the 30 current MLB managers, 12 are former catchers

"They sit in there and pay attention to all parts of the game," Gardenhire said. "That's the benefit and advantage they have doing what they do. They study the game. He was a backup catcher, so he really paid attention to what pitchers were doing out there and sequences. He was a constant."